Speaker(s): Kinan Azmeh, Composer and Clarinet Player; Martha Gilmer, President and CEO, San Diego Symphony Orchestra; Alan Mason, Board Chair, League of American Orchestras; and Simon Woods, President and CEO, League of American Orchestras

Performance: Kinan Azmeh, Clarinet; Jason Hardink, Piano

The Closing Luncheon will feature a performance by and conversation with Kinan Azmeh—Syrian clarinet player, composer of contemporary classical music, and frequent guest artist at orchestras. He’ll speak with Martha Gilmer, President and CEO of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, about the themes of home, freedom, and belonging.

A champion of artistic freedom, Azmeh plays in his own Arab-Jazz Quartet CityBand and his Hewar trio as well as with the Silkroad Ensemble since 2012, whose 2017 Grammy Award-winning album “Sing Me Home” features Azmeh as a clarinetist and composer.

No additional cost. The Closing Luncheon is included in your Conference registration!

The Closing Luncheon has been generously co-sponsored by Threshold Acoustics and Classical Movements.

The Closing Luncheon is made possible by generous grants from The Amphion Foundation, Inc. and The Aaron Copland Fund for Music.

Throughout the Conference, you’ll gather for stimulating meetings with those who best understand the challenges of your position: your peers. Whether you’re working at an orchestra as an executive director, board member, volunteer, staff, or musician, there is learning designed specifically for you.

Find more information about constituency meetings.

Constituency sessions have been generously sponsored by the following:

• Composers: The Amphion Foundation, Inc., The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, and Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation

• Development: Bennett Direct

• Education/Community Engagement: The Julian Family Foundation and The Volgenau Foundation

• Executive Directors, Groups 5-6: Nave Strategies

• Finance: Cast & Crew

• General Managers & Operations: Kirkegaard and Boomerang Carnets | CIB

• Marketing, Groups 1-2: VATIC

• Orchestra Board Members: Tom O’Connor Consulting Group

• Students: The Clinton Family Fund and The Julian Family Foundation

• Youth Orchestra Division: ACFEA Tour Consultants, The Julian Family Foundation and The Volgenau Foundation

Join your colleagues and your business partners for this mid-morning networking break in the Exhibit Area.

Speaker(s): Elizabeth Brown-Ellis, Executive Director, Lima Symphony; Sean Claire, Section Core Violin, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and Concertmaster, Symphony of the Mountains; Brett Graham, Interim CEO, Huntsman Mental Health Institute / Chief Strategy Officer, University of Utah; Annette Jarvis, Chair Elect, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and Co-Managing Partner, SLC Office, Greenberg Traurig LLP; Ben Kipp, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera; Theodore Wiprud, Composer and Consultant; and Dr. Karen Yair, Vice President, Research and Resources, League of American Orchestras

At this session, we’re excited to share a new League guide developed in response to growing member interest and activity in the important area of health and wellness.

With a growing understanding of music’s profound influence on wellbeing, orchestras are finding meaningful roles in addressing community health needs. From live music in healthcare settings and performances for neurodivergent audiences to mental health support and wellness events, orchestras are stepping into new territory, even partnering in medical research. This session will provide the practical insights your orchestra needs to take its first steps or deepen its role in community health and wellness. Learning from the experiences of innovative, well-established programs across budget groups, attendees will gain both inspiration and actionable guidance. Join us to explore how orchestras are building the partnerships they need to listen and respond to community needs, and—in the process—to expand their impact.

Speaker(s): Steve Collins, President and CEO, Hartford Symphony; Shayne Doty, Vice President of Development, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra; David Fisk, President & CEO, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Mieko Hatano, Chief Executive Officer, Oakland Symphony; Daniel Kohn;, Director of Audience Engagement, Orchestra Lumos; Sarah Lempke O'Hare, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Louisville Orchestra; Graham Parker, Special Advisor to the Board, Louisville Orchestra; and Roger Sametz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sametz Blackstone Associates

All orchestras are challenged to raise awareness of orchestral music, expand their reach, attract new audiences, and diversify the revenue streams that make the music possible. Regardless of your orchestra’s staff and budget size, learn how your orchestra can communicate and measure its relevance and address real time community needs and priorities. This session will extract key strategies from recent successful case studies on how to create a convincing and authentic narrative that generates new support and engagement.

This session has been generously sponsored by JCA.

Speaker(s): Al Jacobsen, Executive Director, Allentown Symphony/Miller Symphony Hall and Sharon Tse, Director, Culture and Inclusion, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Who’s on stage? The racial diversity of musicians is vital for orchestras to reflect the richness of our communities, foster creativity, and remain relevant in a changing cultural landscape; however, some aspects of audition and tenure practices have long created barriers to entry for musicians of color.

This session will feature members of the Inclusive Stages Coalition who are actively rethinking these systems. Learn how their orchestras have built internal momentum, revised policies, and taken concrete steps to address historical and current underrepresentation and create fairer practices for all. You’ll leave with actionable ideas and inspiration to help your orchestra work toward a more accessible and inclusive future.

This session is made possible by a generous grant from the Sakana Foundation.

Speaker(s): Jessica Phillips, Musician and Educator, Metropolitan Opera, Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School

Using design thinking strategies and generative dialogic methods for agile culture change, this workshop will engage motivated stakeholders to explore and ideate new pathways for change. Together, we will build connections both internally and externally and conceptualize what a modern and unified culture for orchestra could be to our community and audiences. Attendees will:

• Learn how to encourage and reward a culture of informed risk and normalize change in our business

• Learn and experience design thinking techniques to spark innovation

• Learn and engage in generative dialogue to better engage multiple constituencies and stakeholders to enhance organizational agility

• Learn how to catalyze change in your organization by fostering a “performance-enhancing” culture

• Build multi-stakeholder networks (communities of practice) to resource share

Speaker(s): Anah McRae, Senior Account Executive, Spektrix; Bethany Nothstein, Sector Strategy and Community Manager, US & Canada, Spektrix; and Brian Ritter, Executive Director, Mercury Chamber Orchestra

Are you making the most of every revenue opportunity? Audit your existing income generation activity and explore ideas for boosting the bottom line, in a participatory session designed to help you identify and access untapped returns. Considering ticket income, donations, memberships and more, you’ll walk away with an actionable audit of your current activity and a bank of ideas for ongoing growth.

This session has been sponsored and developed by Spektrix.

Speaker(s): Annie Agle, Vice President of Impact and Sustainability, Cotopaxi; Steven Brosvik, the O.C. Tanner president and CEO of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera; Rich Coburn, Consultant; and Lucas Richman, Music Director, Bangor Symphony Orchestra

Every orchestra can take steps to limit climate impact, such as choosing energy efficient options, reducing waste, encouraging use of public transit, and bringing focus to environmental concerns through the music we present. Join us to discuss innovative solutions and how to build sustainability into our operations, from global efforts to protect endangered woods to changes in offices, performance venues, and touring practices.

Come to the Exhibit Area to grab a cup of coffee, network with your colleagues, and visit with business partners.

This coffee break has been generously sponsored by Cadenza Artists.

When you first arrive at Conference, please stop at the Registration Area, located in the back of Salt Lake Ballroom AB on the 2nd Floor, to pick up your badge and Conference materials. Feel free to visit us again throughout Conference to say hello, ask questions, and let us know how your experience is going!

Stop by the Exhibit Area to meet with your business partners and colleagues. Be sure to pop in during networking breaks throughout the week.

Location: Plaza in front of Maurice Abravanel Hall

Following the Utah Symphony’s performance, be sure to join us for the Tune-Up Party. Join the staff, musicians, board, and volunteers of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera to enjoy music by Utah Symphony Principal Clarinet Tad Calcara and his New Deal Swing Orchestra and sample locally sourced refreshments. Come for the performance and festivities, stay for the conversation and company!

This event is open to all Conference registrants; you’ll just need your badge to enter.

The Tune-Up Party has been generously sponsored by Pura.

Location: Maurice Abravanel Hall

Concert tickets can be added on to your Conference registration until May 16, 2025. After that date, please purchase directly from the Utah Symphony.

Hear the Utah Symphony led by Music Director Emeritus Thierry Fischer on Thursday, June 12 at Maurice Abravanel Hall, one of the nation’s premiere concert venues. Violinist Clara-Jumi Kang will make her Utah Symphony debut with the Korngold Violin Concerto on a program bookended by Mexican composers past and present. Revueltas’ Noche de encantamiento warns of the dangers of cultural clashes, while Gabriela Ortiz’s Téenek leaves us with the message that a hopeful future lies in recognizing each other’s respective identities and differences—and weaving them together creates something stronger than the sum of the parts. 

The Conference Tune-Up Party will follow.

Location: Maurice Abravanel Hall, First Tier Room

Join us for a pre-concert chat about the evening’s program with guest artists and symphony musicians, held 45 minutes prior to the performance start time in the First Tier Room.

Enjoy dinner on your own or with colleagues. Nearby dining options are listed in Things to Do in Salt Lake City.

Throughout the Conference, you’ll gather for stimulating meetings with those who best understand the challenges of your position: your peers. Whether you’re working at an orchestra as an executive director, board member, volunteer, staff, or musician, there is learning designed specifically for you.

Find more information about constituency meetings.

Constituency sessions have been generously sponsored by the following:

• Composers: The Amphion Foundation, Inc., The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, and Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation

• Development: Bennett Direct

• Education/Community Engagement: The Julian Family Foundation and The Volgenau Foundation

• Executive Directors, Groups 5-6: Nave Strategies

• Finance: Cast & Crew

• General Managers & Operations: Kirkegaard and Boomerang Carnets | CIB

• Marketing, Groups 1-2: VATIC

• Orchestra Board Members: Tom O’Connor Consulting Group

• Students: The Clinton Family Fund and The Julian Family Foundation

• Youth Orchestra Division: ACFEA Tour Consultants, The Julian Family Foundation and The Volgenau Foundation

Speaker(s): Najean Lee, Director of Government Affairs & Education Advocacy, League of American Orchestras and Heather Noonan, Vice President for Advocacy, League of American Orchestras

If you are involved in an orchestra in any capacity, and you care about the future of your orchestra and the community it serves, engaging in public policy is essential. Orchestras are nonpartisan organizations that intersect with a much broader range of policies than most people might expect, and at the local, state, and federal levels. Whether it’s arts funding, charitable giving tax incentives, ticket fraud prevention, visas for guest artists, or travel with instruments made of protected species material, there are many opportunities to speak up. How do you find your voice, role, and story to tell as you and your orchestra advocate in today’s policy environment? Join us as we discuss the current state of play, what to look out for, and how to make an impact.

Facilitator(s): J. Andrew Bradford, President & CEO, Santa Rosa Symphony; Michelle Miller Burns, President & CEO, Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Marena Gault, Member, Dallas Symphony Orchestra League and League Volunteer Council; Roger Gault, Board Chairman, Dallas Symphony Orchestra; and Terry D. Loftis, President & CEO, New Jersey Symphony

As volunteering has evolved over the years its value has been stretched, renewed, and redefined. There is a deeper need for collaboration, connection, clear communication, and relevant, achievable goals. Hear results from a League orchestra volunteer survey and learn how orchestras are investing in their volunteer groups. Discover how to set strategies, explore the opportunities, and feel empowered and encouraged to create or redefine a volunteer program that fosters greater impact and service to your orchestra.

Facilitator(s): Georgia Burtt, Violinist, Frost School of Music: University of Miami and Lorin Green, Community Relations Manager, Seattle Symphony

This critical conversation will explore orchestra identity, mission, belonging and values as experienced or influenced by youth. Panelists will present bold projects undertaken by organizations and all attendees will join roundtable discussions to share their unique perspective, insight, successes and challenges. Join us as we explore our roles as catalysts for a thriving future for orchestras and our communities that celebrates the upcoming generation’s creativity, artistry, and inclusion.

This session is made possible by generous grants from The Clinton Family Fund, The Julian Family Foundation, and The Volgenau Foundation.

Facilitator(s): Evin Blomberg, Musician, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

When given the opportunity, musicians can become ambassadors who drive an organization forward and serve as powerful assets for philanthropy, advocacy, education, learning departments, and more. These opportunities not only strengthen their bond with the organization but also empower them creatively and energize them in ways that their traditional roles as orchestral musicians often do not. This empowerment leads to greater satisfaction among musician employees, fosters stronger musician-management relationships, and enables them to connect more meaningfully with the community they serve, ultimately helping the organization thrive.

Facilitator(s): Lydia Connolly, Independent Consultant and Mentor; Former Senior Director and Head of Artist Management, HarrisonParrott; and Raff Wilson, Vice President, Artistic Planning, Seattle Symphony

Artist managers and artistic administrators face stress on many fronts: limited resources, the marginalization of classical music in schools and society, and constantly changing audience preferences. Crafting a concert season feels like trying to spin plates in the middle of a circus ring.

They also share goal of ensuring orchestral music thrives as a transformative force, reaching all of society. The best music-making depends on creative partnership—and those behind the scenes must be partners too. A mutual understanding of challenges and opportunities is essential for a sustainable, healthy orchestra industry. Flexibility, mutual respect, pragmatism, and teamwork are more important than ever.

In this session, artist managers and those involved in artistic planning will reflect together on the challenges they face, their shared commitments and goals, and their hopes for the future.

This session has been generously sponsored by Opus 3 Artists.

Facilitator(s): Michael Albaugh, Executive Director, Cape Symphony; Harold Brown, Hon. Nathaniel R. Jones Chief Inclusion Officer, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; and Jejuana C. Brown, Director, Inclusion and Community Relations, The Cleveland Orchestra

To truly integrate orchestras into their communities, efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion must go beyond surface-level perceptions and become a foundational part of organizational strategy. Through real-world examples and discussion, this session will assist you in articulating your organization's "why", identifying barriers, and developing strategies for sustainable organizational change.

Enjoy lunch on your own or with colleagues. Nearby dining options are listed in Things to Do in Salt Lake City.

Location: Blue Iguana (165 S West Temple. For elevator access to the restaurant, please call 801-593-8900.)

Enjoy a special lunchtime gathering with fellow members of the ALAANA Affinity Group, designed to foster connections and meaningful conversations to support orchestra leaders, administrators, and musicians who identify as people of African, Latinx, Asian, Arab/Middle Eastern, or Native American descent (ALAANA).

If you are not already part of the ALAANA Affinity Group, opt in via this form; please be sure to be logged in to your member account. You will be redirected to your profile page after submitting the form. If you need help with your login, contact Member Services at member@americanorchestras.org. You can also contact Sam Andrew at sandrew@americanorchestras.org if you have any questions about the affinity group.

Speaker(s): Sean Baker, Director of Institutional Giving, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; Victoria Panella Bourns, Director, Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement; Elizabeth “B” Crittenden, Director of Corporate Support, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; Nuri Kye, Director of Development, Marin Symphony; and Jessica Yankie, Senior Vice President, Client & Community Relations Director The PNC Financial Services Group, Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, PNC

Institutional (grant and sponsor) funding often requires extensive research, cultivation, and discussions with funders, along with reporting and/or marketing requirements. Organizational alignment that supports meeting requirements such as research, cultivation, program delivery, and reporting, relies on development, program, finance, marketing, and executive offices working together.

This type of collaboration is often referred to as a "culture of philanthropy," in which all staff and departments understand how philanthropic funding supports their work. Within a culture of philanthropy, development staff leverage the subject matter expertise of program staff in support of funding proposals as well as the systems and workflows used by other departments to sustain philanthropic support, often uncovering inefficiencies in the organization.

This session will address how to create and sustain a culture of philanthropy, examine these best practices, and demonstrate the lifecycle of an institutional gift, highlighting case studies with lessons learned and commentary from panelists along the way.

Speaker(s): Renée Fleming, former Artistic Advisor at Large, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Assal Habibi, Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Southern California; Indre Viskontas, Associate Professor University of San Francisco, Cognitive Neuroscientist, Science Communicator and Opera Stage Director

Following her keynote at the Opening Session, Soprano Renée Fleming is joined by leading experts from the music and health field for a free-ranging conversation about the power of music to improve health and support brain development. We will hear insights from the cutting edge of research that can inform orchestras as they continue to expand their work in this life-changing area that deeply enhances their relationships with their communities.

This session has been generously sponsored by Cadenza Artists.

Speaker(s): Daniel Crupi, Executive Director, Asheville Symphony; Joseph McKenna, President & CEO, Sarasota Orchestra; Jan Newcomb, Executive Director, National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER); and Kelly Waltrip, Executive Director, Denver Young Artists Orchestra

Orchestras, like any business or home, need to prepare in advance for disruption that can result from emergencies like natural disasters and public safety threats. Given all the scenarios that require more hands on deck to mitigate damage, assess threats, and forge ahead after a disruption happens, is your orchestra prepared? Learn about essential steps every orchestra can take today to set in place plans to limit damage and continue to deliver on mission.

Speaker(s): Aaron Flagg, Chair and Associate Director of Juilliard Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School; Vice Chair, League of American Orchestras Board of Directors; Dr. Christy Havens, Chief Operating Officer, Virginia Symphony; Elinore Morin, Assistant Principal Viola, Lansing Symphony Orchestra; Troy Peters, Music Director, Youth Orchestras of San Antonio; Erik Rönmark, President and CEO, Detroit Symphony Orchestra; Pratichi Shah, President and CEO, Flourish Talent Management Solutions and Member of the Board of Directors, League of American Orchestras; and Karen Yair, VP, Research and Resources, League of American Orchestras

Why make an inclusive culture a top priority for your orchestra? When people are truly valued and included, they feel more engaged, are supported to reach their full potential, and naturally contribute their best to your organization.

In this interactive session, you'll explore practical strategies and hear real-world examples from orchestras of all sizes that are building positive, inclusive workplaces for musicians, staff, and board members, no matter their race or gender.

Walk away with actionable insights that will help you create a supportive environment where every person in your organization feels connected, valued, and aligned with your mission.

This session will highlight the work of orchestras featured in the League’s upcoming Catalyst Guide on Inclusive Cultures, including recipients of Catalyst Fund Incubator grantees. Join us to discover how prioritizing inclusion and belonging can unlock your orchestra’s full potential as a thriving, impactful community.

This session is made possible by generous grants from the Mellon Foundation and Sakana Foundation.

Speaker(s): Christina Littlejohn, Chief Executive Officer, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra; Kate Hagen, Senior Consultant, TRG Arts; John O'Dell, Patron Advancement Officer, The Cleveland Orchestra; and Rachel Rossos Gallant, Vice President, Marketing and Membership, League of American Orchestras

This Insight Session explores the encouraging trend of growing subscription sales in orchestras, positioning it within the broader context of the rising demand for subscription-like products across industries. It will highlight how orchestras are leveraging personalized, frequency-driven subscription models to cultivate recurring revenue and deeper engagement with their communities, including through emerging marketing strategies such as social media and content-driven outreach.

This session has been generously sponsored by Leap Event Technology - PatronManager.

This session is made possible by a generous grant from The Wallace Foundation.